Harry Potter and the Four Guardians

Chapter Twenty-One: The Boy Who Lived and the God of Death

By: Elf

Duo launched the grenade at the dark wizard. He knew that he had no chance to beat him in a magical duel, so he was relying on good ole fashioned weaponry. Voldemort brought up his wand and the grenade transformed into harmless mist.

The dark wizard laughed as his red eyes gleamed. He said, "Did you really think you could defeat me like that, boy?"

Duo smirked as he tossed another four grenades. He retorted, "It isn't any fun if you die easily, pal."

The grenades melted into mist again, but Voldemort was preoccupied with them so he didn't notice Duo drawing the .44 Super Mag. He aimed and got off all six rounds. He was going for all kill shots, head and chest, alternating between the two.

Voldemort stood there, smiling as Duo lowered his gun. Duo thought, That isn't possible. He shouldn't be able to dodge all of those bullets, magic or not! That guy should have a gaping head wound at least! I don't miss, what went wrong? There's no fucking way he could be that powerful.

"Duo, run!" Snape snarled at him as Voldemort pointed his wand.

Duo tried to reload the magnum, but putting six bullets in a chamber was a lot slower than popping a clip. He spun the chamber and pulled the hammer. He aimed again and shouted, "Die, you bastard!"

The bullets hit a field of red mist before they sizzled into harmless puddles of silver on the ground. Duo took a step back and tried to regain his bearings. I've killed two Death Eaters already. I can do this. Just get close enough so I can gut him or get his wand away from him.

"Duo, watch out!" Snape and Sirius shouted together.

Duo screamed and fell to his knees as unbelievable pain hit him like a fist. It was worse than being in an explosion, it was worse than any torture he had ever faced before. It stabbed his skin and his nerves while his head throbbed in undescribable agony. Still, he wasn't injured part of his head whispered to him. There was pain, yes, and it was unbelievable, but he wasn't injured.

He could push through this.

He stood up and stopped screaming despite the pain. He glared at Voldemort as the pain stopped as suddenly as it had come. Snape was desperately screaming his name and working against his bonds while Sirius was trying to transform. Duo took a deep breath and Voldemort's crimson eyes met his.

Voldemort clapped and said, "Yes, yes, very good Scythe Barer. You were what I had hoped you would be and your powers aren't even awakened yet!"

"My name is Duo Maxwell," Duo hissed, "I am the God of Death, the Shinigami, and I have returned from Hell."

Voldemort let out a delighted peal of laughter before he said, "We are so much alike, Duo, responsible for countless deaths. Join me and together we could . . ."

"Rule the universe as father and son?" Duo quipped with a smirk.

Voldemort chuckled, "I guess you won't join me freely, which is good. I want your powers, Duo. You mean nothing to me, Duo."

"Well, you have to get rid of me to have the powers and I'm not going anywhere," Duo retorted with a grin.

Snape bellowed, "Duo, get out of here now! Dammit, don't be an idiot, flee, boy!"

"I came here for a reason Severus. I'm getting you, Sirius, Forest, Ron, and Hermione out of here, Prof. I'm not going to leave without you," Duo replied as he kept his eyes on Voldemort.

Voldemort drew out his wand and pointed it at Snape. He said, "You have become useful, after all, Severus."

Snape stared Voldemort down and said, "If you kill me, Dark Lord, then go ahead and do so. I will be very happy to die knowing that the boy walks safe."

Duo watched the wand and Snape. He reloaded the gun and decided to take a gamble. He was against suicide, but he could understand the need to kill oneself, as he had told Heero a long time ago. He placed the gun to his head and bellowed, "Do that Voldy and I'll blow my pretty head off!"

The pain started again with a flick of Voldemort's wand. Duo's gun fell out of his hands and landed beside Voldemort's foot. Duo grit his teeth and tried to move past it, or at least keep on his feet. He licked his lips and glared at the dark wizard.

Voldemort said, "All you have to do is say yes, Duo."

He has to have my blessing to have my powers. That's why he's being so damned insistent on making me give them up instead of just taking them. That's helpful, he thought as the pain went away as quickly as it came.

"Fuck you," Duo said cheerfully.

Voldemort frowned and then a slow, evil smile split across his features. He said, "Fine, then I'll make you give them up. Imperious."

A curiously warm and wonderful feeling spread across Duo. He didn't have to think and it was bliss. There was nothing to worry about.

He heard a voice say, "Will you give yourself up to me?"

He opened his mouth to say yes, of course, when a dark voice said, If you do that you'll be in his hands. You don't want that. Besides, you'll be obeying this stupid fuck, Duo. Tell him off.

Give yourself up to me, Duo.

I don't want to, he thought rather suddenly as the question was repeated. The demand became more insistent. Duo looked around and realized what was happening.

He looked up, chuckled into the reptilian face, and snapped, "Fuck you."

Voldemort frowned and sighed, "Of course you'd be immune to the Imperius Curse, so was Potter. Well, there are other ways to make you surrender."

"Hurt any of them and I'll kill myself," Duo threatened with a dark smile.

Voldemort grinned as he lifted his wand. He said, "Well, then I'll make you beg then. I'll make you give yourself up to me. Crucio!"

Duo took the pain.

******

"Pluto Deadly Scream!" Sailor Pluto's Key let lose the dark attack, flatting the last of the vampires. The two scouts stood among swirls of falling ash, their pristine sailor uniforms splattered with vampire blood. Saturn pointed her blood splattered Glaive at the four Death Eaters.

She smirked and asked, "Do you really want us to get angry?"

"We don't fear you, bitch," one of the younger Death Eaters shouted.

Saturn sighed and replied, "It is always such a waist to take a life. I feel a deep regret when I do so, but this time, it is needed."

She spun her Silence Glaive and screamed, "Saturn Glaive Apply!" In the aftermath of the dark energy, Saturn looked at the dead bodies. She sighed as she brought her weapon to her side. Pluto joined her and looked at the charred bodies in horror.

Saturn could feel little Hotaru flinch in her mind, but she pushed it away. The other Scouts didn't understand that Saturn and Hotaru were two different beings and Saturn became ascendent when Hotaru turned into Sailor Saturn. She turned to face Pluto and stated, "It was necessary. I did it so we could save Duo."

Saturn needed her counterpart, thrilled at the fact that she had one. She loved him as much as Hotaru, even though she didn't quite know it, loved Duo. She would rip the heads off of every one of those Death Eaters to save him.

Setsuna asked, "Do you know where he is?"

"Yes, and it's going to take some time getting there," she answered, knowing that the Portkey was lost for good. She opened her senses and scanned for the familiar darkness that was Duo. She then started running in that direction.

******

Ginny was barely listening to Colin when they were walking out of the Astronomy Tower. They both had finished their Astronomy homework and Colin was going on and on about Harry's Snitch catch against Ravenclaw. She sighed and shifted her books to her other arm. She realized now why the boy got on Harry's nerves so much.

Then, she heard a very familar snore muffled by a closet door. Frowning, she looked at the door only to hear a sound that sounded almost exactly like Fred's nasal snore. If she hadn't known better, she would have sworn that it was Fred's snore.

She smiled sweetly at Colin and said, "Hey, Col, why don't you go on without me? I think I heard something."

"Want me to check it out with you, Ginny?" he asked with a shy smile.

Ginny shook her head and replied, "No thank you, Colin. I'll be fine." Colin shrugged, told her good bye and trotted off, probably in search of another victim. She sighed as she opened the door.

Two very familiar redheads tumbled out, snoring loudly. Ginny bit back a cry as she looked at the large chunk of hair missing from each of their heads and the fact they were comatose. She nudged each brother, only to get a whimper from George and a loud snore from Fred. "Guys," she cried as she shook them again, only to get a similar response.

She ran down to the dungeons, knowing that she could count on Forest. She swung open the door to Forest's room only to find that several of her weapons were missing and she wasn't there. She ran out to the Potions classroom, even though she didn't relish having to tell Snape anything.

She heard a muffled curse and one of the closets sprang open. Draco Malfoy stammered out and took a deep breath of air. "Malfoy," she sneered as she crossed her arms and glared.

His grey eyes looked her over with something akin to relief. He asked, "Where's Potter?"

"I don't know where Harry is, probably the Gryffindor Common Room," she snapped as he reached out to grab her.

His wide eyes searched her face as he pleaded, "Ginny, please, I'm sorry for all the mean things I've ever said to you. But, you must listen to me!"

"What is it?" she asked, knowing that Malfoy must be spooked to be acting like this.

Malfoy took a deep breath and answered, "The Dark Lord has created a plan to get Hotaru and Professor Pluto away from the school and Trunks even farther away because he wants to capture Maxwell and kill Potter. Professor Snape, Black, and the vampire went after the Dark Lord because Crabbe and Goyle made a Polyjuice Potion to look like your twin brothers. And Duo knocked me out and locked me into that closet so I wouldn't get hurt he said."

"That sounds like something he'd do, Malfoy, maybe he did the same to Harry, but Harry would have been ready for a blow," she mused as she started heading up toward Gryffindor.

Malfoy pulled out his wand and suggested, "I think I can find Potter using a drowsing spell."

"Really? That's pretty advanced magic, true, Bill was doing it in his fourth year, but that's really difficult," she said, a bit impressed.

Malfoy nodded and touched the wand to his forehead and held his arm stiffly out in front of him. He said, "Potter." The tip of his wand glowed bright green, the same color as Harry's eyes, as Malfoy started walking toward the Gryffindor Tower.

The wand started vibrating when he reached a closet. He smirked and stated, "You could have changed your pattern a bit, Maxwell."

Ginny opened the door and a Stunned Harry fell out. She cried out as she caught him and struggled with the weight. Malfoy frowned and studied Harry. He said, "Maxwell, you clever bastard."

"I don't know how to snap someone out of being Stunned!" Ginny cried as she pushed his hair off of his face. It was remarkably soft under her fingers and silky. She gently reached out and touched the lighting shaped scar on his forehead.

Harry jerked and cried out in pain as his eyes snapped open. He flinched and rubbed his scar. Malfoy asked, "The Dark Lord's attacking, isn't he?"

"He's hurting someone and he's fairly close," Harry answered with a groan as he stood on his own power.

Ginny asked him, "Are you okay, Harry?"

He looked down at her with his bright green eyes and hugged her. He said, "Thank you for finding me, Gin."

She blushed as she hugged her back. She told him what Malfoy had told her and Harry frowned. Harry asked, "What about Dumbledore?"

"He's gathering Aurors to help fight the Dark Lord and help your friends. Snape, Black, and the vampire already went after him and Pluto and Hotaru have disappeared because of a Portkey and Trunks flew after them," Malfoy explained.

"Damn," Harry swore as he began to pace.

Malfoy asked, "You're thinking about rescuing them, aren't you?"

"The bloody hell I am. I'm thinking about how I'm going to rescue them. They're my friends Malfoy and I'm not going to let that bastard kill anyone else I can save," Harry growled.

Malfoy smiled weakly and warned, "Language, Potter."

"I can't be St. Harry all the time. I don't know what they expect of me. I've just gotten lucky in the past, Malfoy, but this time I know some things," Harry stated as he looked at Ginny.

Ginny met his eyes dead on and said, "I'm going with you."

"Ginny, I can't ask you to do that," Harry breathed as he looked down at her. Time seemed as if it caught for that moment as their eyes locked.

She replied, "I'm going."

Malfoy cleared his throat and said, "Well, then, I'm going as well."

"What?" both Ginny and Harry asked in shock.

Malfoy gave them both a daring little smirk and replied, "Of course. If I'm going to be turning against my family and all of their trappings, well, at least I should do it in style."

Harry shook his head and replied, "No way, Malfoy. You can't go."

"Why not?" Malfoy drawled as he stared Harry down. Ginny watched as the two boys dueled their silent battle of wills. They were exactly the same height, but other than that they were exact opposites. Malfoy was sleek and blond while Harry was unruly and dark. Malfoy seemed to be more in control of the situation while Harry seemed ready to fly out and attack Malfoy.

Harry sneered, "Because I don't want to put you in any danger." He rolled his eyes and sighed, "And I can't believe I just said that."

"Potter you need me, admit it," Malfoy replied with a smug smile.

Harry snorted, "Like a hole in the head."

Ginny sighed and asked, "How are we going to find Duo?"

"My scar, I think," Harry answered, his unsureness evident in his tone.

Malfoy chuckled darkly and said, "I'm coming."

******

Harry glared at Malfoy and snapped, "I can't fit both of you on my broom." He had his Invisibility Cloak folded under his left arm as he mounted his Firebolt. Ginny climbed on behind Harry. He looked back at her and she flashed him one of her impish smiles. He found himself smiling back at her.

Malfoy mounted his Nimbus and rolled his eyes. He stated, "You two can snog after we save the day."

Harry felt his face flush as he heard Ginny stammer something incoherent behind him. He was about to tell Malfoy off when he grinned and added, "It's pretty bloody obvious, Potter, you're just to shy to tell her."

Harry managed, "You listen here, Malfoy, I . . ." He faltered and looked back at Ginny. Her brown eyes were wide and fearful, as what he was about to say would crush all of her hopes or make all of her dreams come true. He studied her from the tip of her red head to the tiny sneakers on her feet. He remembered when he first met her, all shy and nervous because she had a crush on him. She had defended him from Malfoy later on that same week. He had saved her from the Basilisk and Tom Riddle. Then he really hadn't payed much attention to her in the past two years except she was Ron's baby sister.

And she went away to Egypt with Bill. She came back changed, grown up and beautiful. Then Duo Maxwell showed up, all flying braids and flashing violet eyes. The two reacted to each other and quickly became friends, and even though he was in Cho's arms he felt jealous for some reason. She started to change even more, showing bravery and tenacity under the greatest pressures. And she had stayed by his side and helped him with the goblins while Cho had ran.

He smiled at her and settled the Cloak around him. Malfoy shouted, "Hey!"

Ginny asked, "Harry, what on Earth are you doing?"

He smiled and answered, "Opening my eyes for the first time, Gin." Then he bent down and kissed her. The angle was awkward but it was a sweet kiss none the less. They pulled away and she wrapped her arms around him. He started guiding the broom out into the open and he stuck his head out so Malfoy could see him.

Malfoy flew beside him and smirked. He said, "You're not totally hopeless, Potter."

Harry asked, "What do you know about Voldemort's plan?"

"I was supposed to lure Duo to the meeting spot, but I didn't and somehow Duo's already looking or found them himself," Malfoy answered.

Ginny asked, "When did you start calling him Duo?"

"Just a few moments ago. He asked me what my first name was before he punched me. And he didn't make fun of it," Malfoy answered pointedly as he met Harry's eyes, "Even said it was awesome."

Harry sighed and shook his head. He said, "Well, were you supposed to go to the meeting as well?"

"Yes, my father wanted the Dark Lord to initiate me as a Death Eater after you were dead," Malfoy answered, having to shout over the wind.

Ginny asked, "Do you still want to become a Death Eater?"

"And wear those horrible robes and masks? Never. Besides, that would hurt Hotaru and Snape, who's been more of a father to me than my own," Malfoy answered with a frown.

Harry asked, "What do you know about the situation?"

"A bit more than my father, but then again, I get my dashing good looks from him and my rapier wit from my mum. I figured that Snape was a spy just a few weeks ago. I knew that Black didn't betray your parents and was never a Death Eater. I just said that in third year to rile you up," Malfoy answered with an apologetic smile.

Harry asked, "And what about Hermoine?" This was the last part of his test.

"Granger? She's too smart for her own good and I'm angry that she does better than me in Arithromancy," he huffed and then sulked.

Harry asked, "And me?"

"Potter, you get too much attention because of a stupid scar, even though I have to admit that you're damn good on a broomstick," Malfoy answered easily.

Ginny gasped, "My, Hotaru really did change you!"

"Actually, me being without Hotaru changed me and what she said to me as we broke up helped a lot too. Then there was the whole reason that Duo wouldn't fight me. He felt sorry for me, as if he had hurt me or something," he explained as he looked out onto the horizon.

Harry's scar throbbed intensely. He reached up and rubbed it. Malfoy asked, "Is it hurting again?"

"Worse now, it comes and goes," he answered as he flinched. Ginny's arms tightened around him comfortably. She rubbed his shoulders and rested her head against his back. That alone made him feel better.

Malfoy swallowed and quietly stated, "We're almost there. What's your plan, Potter?"

Harry looked ahead and answered, "You're going to act like you're luring me to Voldemort while Ginny sneaks all she can away. Then I'm going to look like I'm attacking you and you'll duck down and help whoever you can, just make sure that your father doesn't see you."

"Potter, that is clever enough, by why?" Malfoy asked, grudgingly admitting his respect.

Harry looked strait ahead and replied, "Because we might need you to spy on Voldemort later."

"Become a Death Eater?" Malfoy asked in shock.

Harry nodded and said, "Yes, but in name only. Snape won't be able to spy on Voldemort anymore. He knows now. Besides, you don't want to lose your father's money, right?"

"No," Malfoy drawled acidly, "Of course not, but I'd rather lose my wealth and title than see Hotaru hurt."

Harry lifted an eyebrow and asked, "You know that she and Duo are together now, right?"

"Of course I do. It's better that way. He's better for her than I am, Mr. Heroic Death," Malfoy snapped angrily.

Ginny said, "I'm sorry. I understand how you feel."

"I was wrong about you Weasleys," Malfoy said as he began to slow down.

Harry asked, "Are we there?"

"Yes, Potter, look sharp," Malfoy replied as he landed his broom. Harry landed with him and gave Ginny the Cloak. She was completely invisible to him except for her golden brown eyes.

Harry asked, "Can you handle this, Gin?"

"I managed to kick Trunks in the bollocks, didn't I?" Ginny replied tartly.

Harry grinned at her and said, "Good luck."

"You too, Harry," she said before he heard her rustle off.

Malfoy drew himself and confessed, "I'm feeling a bit sick. How do you manage to do this on a regular basis, Potter?"

"I don't. It just sort of happens, I guess," Harry replied with a shrug.

Malfoy drawled, "Most assuring, Potter."

******

"Does it hurt, Duo? I'll stop when you tell me that you give up," Voldemort told Duo.

Duo looked up into Voldemort's red eyes and grinned. He stood to his feet. The Dark Lord had his arm lowered to his side and didn't seem ready to cast any curses right about now.

Duo launched himself into action. Voldemort wasn't prepared for the blow that numbed his wrist enough to make his wand drop, nor was he ready for the snap kick that slammed his head back. Duo threw a punch, shattering Voldemort's nose.

Duo taunted, "Not so tough without your wand, aren't you Voldy?"

"Stop right there, boy, or I'll slit this vampire from stem to stern," a cold voice from one of the Death Eaters sneered. He held a razor sharp blade under Forest's still throat as her indigo eyes gazed emptily into space. He chuckled as he ran the blade gently down the neck of her camisole.

Voldemort touched his bleeding nose and cried, "Imprudent brat! Don't you know who I am? I can kill you were you stand! How dare you!"

"Easily," Forest said as her eyes focused and she slammed her elbow into the Death Eater's face. She drew her gun and shot two of the Death Eaters in a blink. She then rolled and sprang up right in front of Voldemort. She pressed the gun barrel to his chin with a smirk.

Sirius crowed, "That's girl!"

Forest grinned at Sirius and Snape then Duo. Duo grinned and wanted to hug her. He said, "I'm glad that you're back."

"That spell was a weak one, Voldemort. I'm far older than the Killing Curse, I am far older than most of the magics that you practice, wizard. You do not frighten me," she snarled as her eyes bled from indigo to crimson.

Voldemort chuckled and said, "Macnair, I believe Mr. Black is feeling a bit off."

Her eyes wavered as she asked, "What are you planning?"

"Forest, forget me and shoot the wanker's head off!" Sirius shouted as one of the Death Eaters, probably Macnair, strode over to him.

Duo heard something in the bushes. He looked over to see something dragging Hermione away. He quickly looked away. He couldn't see what was dragging Hermione, but it was obvious she was being drug.

Macnair held out his wand at Sirius. Sirius glared down at him and asked, "Are you going to get your rocks off by killing me, Macnair? I heard you were into pain. You sick fuck."

Harry's godfather sounds like me, Duo thought suddenly as Sirius glared defiantly down at Macnair. Macnair said, "I'll kill him before you can pull that trigger, lass. Put the gun down."

Snarling, Forest threw the gun down, but made a shot at one of the random Death Eaters before doing so. She smirked as she stepped down from Voldemort. Voldemort gathered his wand and growled, "Sanguine!"

Forest's eyes widened as her body convulsed. She coughed and blood poured out of her mouth, ears, eyes, and nose. She fell to the ground as her fingernails began to bleed as well. Blood leaked through her clothing and pooled beneath her.

Sirius raged, "Leave her alone! Torture me you sick bastard!"

Snape snapped, "Black, calm down. The Blood Curse won't kill her. It's excruciatingly painful, but it won't kill her."

Duo asked, "What did you do to her?"

"A vampire is based on blood. Apparently, Forest hasn't been feeding very well lately. Her blood is water thin and is leaking out of her body," Voldemort chirped happily as he watched Forest convulse and bleed out.

"My Lord!" Draco Malfoy's voice boomed out from the darkness. Harry stumbled into the clearing where Draco had pushed him.

Duo looked at the pale boy and felt betrayed. It bubbled at him like anger and he screamed, "You bastard! I trusted you!" He started to rush at Draco when the blinding, burning, stabbing agony hit him again.

Duo cursed and turned to Voldemort. It ended as quickly as it had begun and Voldemort stated, "You have a very high tolerance to pain."

"I've been tortured a few times," Duo snapped back as he watched Forest bleed out. Sirius was grunting and straining at his bonds as he stared at the Death Eater holding his wands. Snape looked calmly ahead, but Duo could see that he was trembling.

Harry glared up at Voldemort as he looked over at him. Harry's green eyes were almost glowing in the darkness. Voldemort smiled at Draco and purred, "Excellent, my boy. You have proved yourself more loyal than your father."

"I trusted you," Duo sneered. Draco Malfoy had signed his death warrant at that moment. He was already dead; he just didn't know it yet.

Draco snickered, "Well, Duo, never trust a Slytherin. We're all about our own gain." He chuckled again.

Voldemort smiled and said, "Yes, Draco, bring young Potter over here. We have a duel to finish."

"In your dreams, Voldemort," Harry snapped as he threw a mock punch at Draco. Duo saw how easily Draco went down and knew that it had been some plan. Duo took the moment's chaos to run over to where Sirius and Snape were bound to their trees.

He asked, "Any quick spells to get you two untied?"

"You could burn the bindings," Sirius suggested as Duo started working at the ones holding Snape's feet.

Snape rolled his eyes and asked, "Why must you be so difficult, Black? Duo, just use a simple unbinding spell."

"Got it," Duo replied as he lifted his wand up.

Sirius asked, "Why did you try blowing Voldemort up and not duel him?"

"I couldn't beat him in a duel so I just decided to use the method I was best at," Duo answered as he got Snape's feet unbound.

Duo felt the pain rush through him, but he still managed to get one of Sirius' feet free. The pain intensified until his hand started to shake. Then his wand flew out of his hand in a rush of red sparks. He fell to the ground, stiff as a board with another curse.

He glared as he was chained up, kneeling in front of Voldemort. He heard Ginny scream. He felt the curse lifted as he looked over to see a now awake Hermione and Ginny being chained up as well by one of the five Death Eaters that Forest and Duo hadn't killed. Harry was forced to the ground and chained up as well, his wand gathered with the others. Draco watched with fearful eyes, as if he was trying to plan a desperate rescue attempt.

Voldemort smiled evilly and his red eyes gleamed like rubies as he looked at the group of teens chained at his feet. Duo glared up at him as did Harry. Hermione looked white and gaunt and Ron looked a little green around the gills. Ginny was nursing a giant red hand print on her cheek. Duo made a mental note that he was going to kill that Death Eater first.

Then Duo noticed something.

There was a pale, silver threat connecting Voldemort to Harry. It wasn't connecting Harry to Voldemort. How Duo was certain it wasn't, he didn't know, but he could see it. Apparently, he was the only one he could. He could see it plain as day.

His eyes widened as Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry. He asked, "Should I kill you now or after I control the Scythe Barer as my pet?"

"Go to Hell," Harry sneered as he looked up at Voldemort defiantly.

Voldemort asked, "Duo, will you?"

"Never," he sneered.

Voldemort grinned and pointed his wand at Hermione. He said, "Mudbloods, how disgusting. It makes me physically ill to look at her. Crucio!"

Duo lunged in front of Hermione. Hermione's brown eyes widened as Duo screamed in pain again. Harry glared up at Voldemort and helped nudge Duo back to his kneeling position.

He asked, "Are you okay?"

"He's been doing that for the past half an hour, I'm starting to get shaky," Duo answered as he tried to shake it off.

Harry whispered, "You can't keep this up. We have to think of some way to get out."

Voldemort pointed his wand at Ron. This time, Harry lunged in front of the curse, taking it. He cried out and fell to the ground, twitching in pain.

Duo looked down into Harry's bright green eyes and then up at Voldemort. He hated to admit it, but the dark wizard had the upper hand. Voldemort smiled and asked, "Well, Duo?"

Maybe I can awaken these powers on this guy's ass before he does what he does, Duo thought wildly as he looked up at Voldemort. Or maybe I can buy some time so that they can escape. Maybe I can help them escape, but maybe I won't. Damn, this is conflicting.

Duo sighed and said, "Sure, whatever. Hope you have fun."

Voldemort laughed and said, "Lucius, Wormtail, prepare the ritual!"

The guy with one hand, the one that Sirius wanted to kill, started cutting off Duo's shirt with a knife. Duo looked ahead as Malfoy senior walked him to two stones with chains wrapped around them. They chained him up and Voldemort walked over, fingering his wand.

Duo snapped, "Let's get this the fuck over. I don't have all day."

"Let's begin," Voldemort said with an evil smile.

******

The compact Sayan prince wiped the blood running into his eyes off. Vegeta looked at the demonically beautiful duo, the pretty boy and the beautiful young woman. Android 18 smiled and said, "Look, he's got blood all over his armor."

"Let's make the rest of him match," 17 snickered as he pointed his finger at Vegeta.

Vegeta roared with the pain and anger. He let go with it and felt his body transform. He his raven hair turned gold and his ebon eyes shifted to intense aqua. The golden aura waved around him like hot kisses, filling his body with strength, confidence, and power.

"The Sleeper has Awakened! Feel my wrath, androids!" the Sayan Prince roared as he fired his Gallic Gun at 17.

From the center of Capsule Corps, Bulma Briefs watched fearfully as the man she had grown to love reached the level of the Super Sayan. Something that Vegeta had coveted for so long. She frowned as baby Trunks began to wail as the battle intensified.

Vegeta flew at the androids and attacked them with all of his mite. He was firing ki blasts insanely and the androids frowned as they narrowly avoided them. Vegeta crowed, "Face me, you mechanical monsters! Or are you afraid of a true warrior?"

17 yawned, "Sis, this is getting boring."

"Yeah, he's getting arrogant and annoying, brother. Let's just get rid of him," 18 replied as she pointed her finger at Vegeta.

17 smirked as his pale eyes sparkled. He said, "I couldn't have said it better myself, sis."

Vegeta didn't have a chance.

Bulma fell to her knees as she watched Vegeta's hair turn back to black as he fell. His eyes were wide and empty, staring up at an uncaring sky. She clutched Trunks to her breasts as tears started falling down her face. She fell to her knees as her heart clinched and Trunks wailed.

"No, stop it!" Trunks shouted at the dementors, firing a ki blast at them. The pain was too much, the anguish, the horror. He had seen his father die after Piccolo, Yamcha, and Krillin. Vegeta was the last to go, the one who had stood against the androids the longest. Krillin had been seduced by 18 before she blasted him while laughing. 17 had played a game of hide-and-go-seek with Yamcha before sadistically blowing him to bits. The both of them had given Piccolo no mercy, just as they had Vegeta.

The visions started to change again . . .

The sound of thunder woke him up. Trunks heard it rumble through the sky as he opened his eyes. He saw the lighting crash like a violent tantrum, lighting up the ruins below.

He stood up and looked around. He cried, "Gohan?" He hovered for an uncertain moment before flying down into the ruins. He looked around and shouted again, "Gohan?"

He searched for his teacher's life force and frowned. There was nothing. "Gohan!"

Then, lying in a pool of water, was Gohan. Trunks cried out as he rushed over to his friend and carefully rolled him over. Gohan's ebon eyes stared blankly up at him, lifeless.

"Gohan?" Trunks managed as he tried to check for a pulse.

There was none.

"Gohan . . ." he whispered as he held Gohan close to him. He gently laid Gohan's prone form on the ground. Lighting crashed again as thunder rolled in, just like the storm brewing inside the young boy.

He clinched his fist and felt his fingernails draw blood. The pain was irrelevant. It was nothing compared to the storm brewing in side of him. He ignored the blood running down his hands as he screamed in pain and rage.

It wasn't right, it wasn't fair . . . Gohan . . .

He clinched his fist and felt his fingernails draw blood. The pain was irrelevant. It was nothing compared to the storm brewing in side of him. He ignored the blood running down his hands as he screamed in pain and rage.

Trunks screamed in pain and rage. He felt it welling up from the depths of his soul and start to over come him. He was threatened, his adrenaline was pumping like mad and then there was the endless torment. He felt it welling up, threatening to take control like an endless pyre.

And Trunks let it.

He roared with the intensity of it. It felt good, like shedding a band-aid that had grown too sticky. He felt the elation of the change as it whirled around him in a storm of power, anger, and hatred. He let it engulf him and he welcomed it.

He felt the tiny smile upon his lips as his body's muscles bulged with promise and power. He felt the golden aura of energy swirl around him, the warm flames licking at him gently. When he opened his eyes, he noticed that his lavender hair had turned bright, pale gold and stood up on end and he knew that his eyes had turned from their normal blue to an intense aqua.

"Yes," he hissed as he rose above the now cowering dementors. He could sense their uncertainty of this godlike being and it felt good. He laughed as he flexed his energy, letting the aura rise and pulse around him. He pushed that power into his body and felt his muscles grow unneededly.

He laughed as all the power he had mastered before leaving his home came back to him like an old lover. He flexed his fingers and looked at the dementors. He shouted, "Now you're dealing with a Super Sayan! And I will not fall easily!"

His hands moved with lighting speed as his fingers came together to form a triangle. He roared and let lose the Burning Attack. He watched as it pulverized the dementors into nothing but smoldering piles of ash. He threw back his head and laughed.

"Voldemort, I'll show you power!" he crowed as he took off like a shot into the night, leaving a blazing path like a comet behind him.

******

Duo didn't even want to know what Voldemort was brewing. It stank to high heaven and the fumes were tinged with a strange, reddish hue. His cross had been striped from him and cast to the side only to be replaced by a strange talisman.

Voldemort looked up at where Duo was bound and said, "Now, the ritual begins."

"Get it over with, I'm getting board," Duo snapped, but his heart was racing in his veins and his mouth tasted like copper. There was no influx of power or anything. He still felt the same as he did before except now he was starting to get scared shitless.

He looked over to where Harry and the others were bound. Forest was still bleeding out, except she had mercifully passed out. Snape's dark eyes offered no solace and Sirius looked pissed as he still struggled with his bonds. Harry's bright green eyes blazed through the darkness and the lighting bolt shaped scar crackled with red energy.

Voldemort smiled and said, "As you wish. This is going to be quite painful. I'm going to rip your soul from your body, leaving the Scythe Barer's powers and the body behind so I can control it. Perhaps I might even place my mind in there when it grows a little older!"

"Well, I will be the first one to admit that I'm a pretty hot guy. I bet it's been a while since you've been laid," Duo retorted with a smirk.

Voldemort was about to flick his wand at him when one of the vampire henchmen ran before him. The vampire took a bow and said, "Lord Voldemort, the Scouts, they're coming!"

"Well, stop them!" Voldemort bellowed.

The vampire shook his head and replied, "Not that easy, sir. Saturn's killed the Death Eaters and the vampires. She wants blood, sir."

Sirius chuckled from where he was tied up. He shouted, "Saturn's coming, Voldemort and she wants your head. What's your clever plan now?"

"Silence, Black, Crucio!" Voldemort sneered.

Sirius screamed and writhed in pain. Harry called out for his godfather and glared at Voldemort. Voldemort snapped, "I'll deal with you next, boy."

"You deal with no one," a chilling voice replied as something silver appeared from the darkness and struck Voldemort in the head.

Standing there was Hotaru, except it wasn't Hotaru.

Duo blinked as he took in the extra short violet skirt, the knee high lace up boots, and the tight sailor costume. His mouth dropped open as he noticed what nice legs Hotaru had. She had in her hands a long, bladed weapon shaped like a scythe. The Silence Glaive. It's Sailor Saturn, Duo realized as he looked at her.

Saturn spun the Glaive with a smirk and said, "Stay back, Voldemort."

"You," Voldemort sneered as he pointed at her.

Sailor Pluto appeared beside her, holding a giant key that could double as a staff in her slender hands. Her green hair whirled around her in the gentle breeze. She stood behind Saturn. She replied, "And she is not alone, Lord Voldemort."

"You're out numbered, out classed, and out gunned, give up and we'll let you live," Saturn calmly stated as she held her Glaive out in front of her.

Voldemort smirked as he pointed his wand at Duo and sneered, "Crucio!"

Duo screamed as the white-hot pained laced through him let again. His injured body, even though no real damage was done to it, writhed at the constant abuse. He couldn't ride it out this time and he felt his vision blacking out. He whispered, "Hotaru . . ."

"Don't pass out, Duo! I know it hurts, stay awake," Harry shouted at him, his voice cracking.

Duo looked as Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry. He said, "I'll duel you later, Potter. First, you'll watch as I strip your friend's soul from his body, leaving only the Scythe Barer behind."

He turned to Saturn and sneered, "Do you think you can kill me before I kill the Mudblood or the weasels?"

Saturn's grip tightened on her Glaive as she glared. She sneered, "Well, maybe I can just rid the world from your existence."

"NO!" Duo screamed at her as he tried to reach her.

Voldemort smirked and asked, "Would you do that to Duo?"

Saturn growled.

Then, like a fire storm, the ground beside Voldemort exploded around him. Duo looked up and had to look away. He managed to look up again and gasped.

It was Trunks, except he was bigger, stronger, raging with power, and his hair was gold and his eyes were aqua and pupiless. The golden aura swirled around him like living flame. He pointed his hand at Voldemort.

Voldemort asked, "What are you?"

"A Super Sayan. Now, Voldemort, let me show you what true power's like," Trunks growled as he formed a ki blast in his hand. He screamed as he fired it and Duo waited for Voldemort to flip it back with his wand or something. Voldemort's red eyes widened in fear as it flew at him.

Voldemort vanished, only to reappear beside Harry. Harry stood to his feet and the chains fell to the ground, clattering wildly. Harry was holding his wand and Draco was holding a rubber chicken in shock. Draco gasped, "It was a fake, Milord!"

Voldemort sneered, "I'll kill you, Potter."

Duo saw the connection between Harry and Voldemort shine like molten silver and he knew. He was filled with sudden awareness about everything. There were life, death, and knowledge. Saturn's violet eyes widened as she watched him.

You know, I could just grasp it like this . . .

The chains fell to the ground and Duo stood there. He held his right hand out and closed his eyes. He felt the scythe blade materialize there and looked at it. The glowing green flame etched across his features and he knew.

Snape gasped, "The power, it's awakened!"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Voldemort," Duo stated calmly as he pointed his scythe at him.

Trunks gathered another ki blast. Saturn spun her Glaive and Harry pointed his wand at Voldemort. Forest managed to sit up, her blood streaked face looking confused. Malfoy fled and Draco hid behind a tree, yet watched. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny looked at Duo in shock. Sirius' mouth had dropped open. Snape gave a satisfied smirk.

Voldemort hissed like a snake and glared at them with his red eyes. Harry said, "It's over."

"Just don't stand there, kill him," Forest rasped, her voice hoarse from coughing up blood.

Duo saw that the connection between the Boy who Lived and the Dark Lord had two different strands. He calmly sliced through the right strand with the scythe. Harry's wide eyes looked up at him.

Voldemort asked, "What have you done?"

"If Potter dies, you die as well. You sealed your own fate when use used Potter's blood to bring yourself back to power," Snape answered calmly.

Voldemort sneered, "That means that the boy dies as well."

"Not exactly," Duo said with a smirk. The power strummed along his skin but it was hard to hold. The scythe was growing remarkably heavy and he really didn't have the strength to wield it.

Sirius chuckled, "I'll be damned, Duo severed the connection enough that Harry would live."

Harry stared at Duo, wide eyed. Duo grinned and shrugged. He said, "Can't kill the bad guy if it means you die too, buddy."

Trunks smirked and said, "Let's end this now." He threw the ki blast at Voldemort. Duo sensed as Voldemort Apparated away and his Death Eaters followed.

Trunks frowned and then, suddenly, the golden aura dissipated and his hair and eyes returned to normal. Trunks looked at his hands and ran his fingers through his hair. He shouted, "Dammit, Kai!"

The scythe disappeared and Duo wavered on his feet. Saturn asked, "Are you okay, Duo?"

"Yeah, I just need a little sleep," he murmured with a grin as he passed out.

******

Harry sat at Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore smiled kindly as he faced him. Harry asked, "What was Snape talking about when he said that Voldemort sealed his own fate?"

Fawkes rested his head on Harry's knee and looked up at him with his sad eyes. Harry stroked the bird fondly as he faced the ancient wizard. Dumbledore chuckled as he stroked his beard.

Dumbledore explained, "When Voldemort used your blood to bring himself to power he put a bit of you in him, like when he placed a bit of himself in you. Except he created a bond between the two of you causing that if you died he died and vice versa, and he just wasn't aware of it."

"And what did Duo do exactly?" Harry asked as he remembered the rest of last night. Dumbledore had appeared from the clearing along with Mad-Eyed Moody, Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, and Mundungus Fletcher right after Duo had passed out. Saturn and Pluto became Hotaru and Setsuna once again and Trunks was miffed that he couldn't turn back into that gold state once again. Forest was severely weakened and Harry wasn't sure what had happened to her. Sirius and Snape had helped her away, saying that they would return later.

As soon as they had gotten a night of sleep, Dumbledore called Harry into his office right after breakfast. Harry had told him of Draco's reversal of sides and that Draco was willing to become a spy if needed. He had also told him how Duo's latent powers had finally awakened, which lead him to the last question.

Dumbledore explained, "Duo righted things as back as to their natural order as he could, except he made sure there was a failsafe to protect you."

"So if I die Voldemort dies?" Harry asked thoughtfully, not that he wanted to die, but if it came to it he would be ready.

Dumbledore nodded and warned, "But I don't suggest you taking your own life quite yet, Harry. As displayed last night, Setsuna, Hotaru, and Trunks are more than enough to take on Voldemort and he knows that now. He is going to reevaluate his actions and try to grow even stronger. That means that he is going to be even more determined to get his hands on Duo."

"Why didn't he just use a dementor to suck out Duo's soul?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore smiled as he answered, "One of the perks of being a Scythe Barer is that their Kiss eliminates all of their powers. An intensive ritual is involved to make sure that the persona is gone yet leaving the power intact."

There was a soft knock on the door. Dumbledore asked, "What is it?"

"May I come in, Headmaster?" Remus Lupin's voice asked.

Dumbledore answered, "Of course, Remus."

Remus Lupin stepped in, still looking a bit worse for wear, but his robes looked better. His longish greying hair was falling in his face and he looked worried. He gave Harry a kind smile and Harry waved back. Fawkes gave a tiny whistle before flying back to his cage.

Remus asked, "Pardon me for being so blunt, Headmaster, but why are Sirius and Severus being treated for vampire bites?"

Harry's eyes widened as he realized what they had done. He asked, "You mean they let Forest bite them?"

"Of course, Harry. In case you haven't noticed, both your godfather and your potion's professor are quite smitten with her," Dumbledore answered with a tiny chuckle.

Remus blinked in confusion and asked, "I'm missing something, aren't I?"

"Forest was sent here to protect me," Harry informed him.

Remus blushed a little and said, "Oh, her. I heard she was quite expensive."

"Not as much as you'd expect when it's the right sort of work," Dumbledore said pleasantly.

******

A few weeks had past, the O.W.L.S were one of the worst experiences in any of their lives (Trunks didn't have to take them, lucky bloke), and Harry had managed to scrape together quite a few O.W.L.S, more than he had expected. Hermione, of course, had gathered the most O.W.L.S, but Draco had tied her strangely enough. Ron gathered a hand few and Duo gathered more than he realized himself.

Still, Harry would have rather taken the O.W.L.S all summer than stay at the Dursleys. He didn't want to go there, but Sirius had lost all of his properties when he had been captured and was trying to gather it all back. Also, Dumbledore had added that he was safer with the Dursleys than with Sirius.

He walked arm and arm with Ginny and he watched her. He admitted that he'd rather go spend the summer with the Weasleys than anything right now. She giggled and grinned up at him. Ron had informed him that they would send for him again this summer.

Setsuna and Hotaru were going to look for Voldemort all summer and Trunks was going to go home. He said that Duo would be able to get him if he was in danger. Duo had smirked and made a slashing motion at that. Duo, on the other hand, had no place to go.

According to Dumbledore, Duo's parents were dead and he had no legal guardian.

Harry felt a little better about staying at the Dursleys.

******

Duo stared at the young couple laughing in the photo. The man waved his hand happily as the young woman punched his gut every so often. The young woman was beautiful with long rich chestnut brown hair braided and huge blue eyes. She had Duo's nose and eye shape. The man beside him had an impish look to him with that same mocking grin that Duo tended to wear. He had dark hair and violet eyes.

He looked up at Dumbledore and asked, "Who are these people?" He felt his voice crack in wonder as he dared to hope.

Dumbledore smiled gently and answered, "Your parents, Sara and John Maxwell, actually."

"Their last name was Maxwell too?" Duo asked as he gently touched his mom's face.

Dumbledore nodded and answered, "Of course, G sort of planned it that way."

"Cunning bastard," Duo whispered as he looked at his mother and father. He had thought about his parents once upon a time, but had long given up the hope that he'd ever see them. Or know anything about them. It would only be a waist of time brooding on them when he had other matters to attend to.

Dumbledore handed Duo a thick binder. Duo opened it up to see other pictures and article clippings from an American wizarding newspaper. He gently read the articles. His mom had been an Auror while his father had been an inventor with a love for Muggle objects and technology. Tears were forming in his eyes as he carefully closed the binder on the last photo in the book of Sara and John holding what he assumed to be a baby Duo.

He asked, "What happened to them?"

Dumbledore sighed and answered, "Your mother was a Muggleborn and she was tortured to death by the Death Eaters. Your father died defending you as G ran away to hide you."

"Do I have any other family?" he asked softly as he cradled the book into his arms.

Dumbledore answered, "No. That's why I wanted to talk to you. You don't have a legal guardian and I've even searched for living family members."

"All dead," Duo snorted without surprise.

Dumbledore nodded sadly and answered, "Yes, all dead. You could spend the summer here or you could spend it at the Three Broomsticks or The Leaky Cauldron. Or unless someone is willing to take you in, say adopt you."

"Professor, I've been living almost twelve years on my own. This really isn't going to be any different except I'm going to have money and be sleeping in a hotel," Duo replied easily as he faced Dumbledore's bright blue eyes.

Dumbledore nodded and agreed, "Yes, your parents did leave you with a considerable amount of money. Your father also had a hobby of growing gemstones, hence the reason you had so many in your vault at Gringots. Add G's inheritance . . . Yes, you are very well off. Also, when you are eighteen you are to take G's estate in Scotland."

"Estate in Scotland?" Duo asked dully.

Dumbledore shrugged and answered, "It's a haunted castle of an old dark wizard that G had for a very long time."

"Figures, but about my situation. No offence, but I don't want to stay at the school," Duo replied as he blinked the remaining tears from his eyes.

The door flew open and Snape stood there, panting. He gasped, "Headmaster, if you and Duo have no objections, I would be his legal guardian."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he faced Duo. Duo grinned up at Snape and asked, "Really, you'd do that?"

"If you promise not to get into too much trouble," Snape said coldly as he straitened his robes, "And not to let this get out. I have a reputation to maintain, as you are well aware of."

Duo grinned and pointed at the Potions Master. He said, "Well, you heard the man, I'm living with the Prof."

"Very good, and Severus, thank you," Dumbledore told him.

Snape snorted.

******

"You're not getting on the train?" Harry asked as Duo hugged him.

Duo shook his head and replied, "Naw. I'm going with the teacher."

"Living with Snape, you must be desperate," Ron said with a shudder.

Hermione hugged him and said, "See you soon, hopefully. Don't forget to owl me."

"I won't, we have Arithromancy to talk about," Duo replied as he rubbed her hair.

Ginny flung her hands around his neck and squeezed the life out of him. She said, "You'd better owl me too, Duo."

"Of course and you'd better keep me up on all the dirty details," Duo told her as Harry took her hand.

He felt a light tug on his shirt and turned around to face Hotaru. They took hands and walked away from the loading train. Duo asked, "Will I see you this summer?"

"I doubt it. Duo, I'll owl you if I can, but Setsuna says it won't be easy," she confessed.

Duo reached out and touched her cheek. He leaned forward and captured her lips with his. The kiss was sweet and they parted. Hotaru said, "I'll see you this fall, Duo."

"Until next time, baby," Duo shouted as she ran to where Trunks and Setsuna were saying good bye.

Duo felt a hand clasp on his shoulder and turned to see Snape. Snape said, "Well, gather your things, we don't have all day."

"And I thought you liked me," Duo pouted teasingly as he gathered his trunk.

Snape said, "Well, there are some rules. No loud rap music. I have deemed that playing Tool loud is suitable. No loud rock either, so no blaring that Licking Park at all hours. No staying up till two o'clock in the morning. No getting up at the crack of dawn. No blowing up anything unless you have my permission. No insane broom rides either. No hunting vampires. Any questions?"

"Can I download porn from the Net?" Duo asked, coaxing a smile from Snape.

Snape retorted, "We shall see, Duo."

******

Harry watched as Hermione and Ron played a game of chess. Ginny was cuddled up next to him. He smiled down at her and she grinned up at him. He said, "I wish I could stay with you this summer."

"I have a sneaking suspicion that Duo's going to help you sneak away from your aunt and uncle," Hermione said as Ron's knight took her rook. She chewed on her lips as she watched the knight slam its blade into the castle.

Ron chuckled, "He's probably going to either sneak you out like we did in our second year or he's going to charm your aunt, hand Dudley an X-rated magazine, and piss off your uncle to no end."

"Then you'd have to spend time with Snape," Ginny said with a frown as Ron's rook took a pawn.

Harry grimaced and groaned, "Urg. Well, he's better than my aunt and uncle."

There was a knock on their car's door. It slid open and Draco slid in, by himself. Ron's fist clinched as he sneered, "What the hell are you doing here, Malfoy?"

"Paying my respects to Potter and talking about the fast foe of you, me and everyone on this train except the idiots named Crabbe and Goyle," Draco replied easily as he looked at Harry.

Harry met Draco's cold grey eyes and wondered if he could truly change that much in that short of time. He still let Crabbe and Goyle tag along, yet he hadn't taunted any Muggleborn in the past couple of weeks. Draco said, "I'm with you, Potter. Spying, what not. Snape's out of the game and you need my help. So, I'm in."

"Has Hell frozen over yet?" Ron asked sarcastically. Hermione elbowed him in the rib as his knight took her knight.

Harry asked, "Are you sure?"

"Positive. I may not have Hotaru's heart, but I don't want to be out of her life," he answered sadly.

Ginny reached up and patted Draco's hand. She said, "You're Draco Malfoy. You have tons of girls that chase after your sleek head. You'll find someone else."

"I want to be worthy of someone, not to be liked because I'm beautiful," Draco replied broodingly.

Harry lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Do you want to play a game of chess?"

"Actually, yes, I would, but first, Miss Granger, move your queen to D1," Draco advised as he sat down beside Harry.

Hermione frowned then did as he instructed. Her eyes lit up as Ron groaned. She chirped, "Checkmate, Ron! Checkmate! Thanks, Malfoy."

"Glad to be of service," Draco drawled as he settled back into the cushions.

Harry said, "Still, this isn't over yet. Voldemort is gathering forces and is going to be after Duo harder than ever now."

"That's why Forest is going to give Snape a nice surprise as soon as they get home," Draco replied as Harry got out his chess pieces. Draco had a small bag with his chessmen in it. Harry was surprised to see that they were made out of polished jade. He started setting up the board.

Harry asked, "What?"

"Yes, the vampire told me last night," Draco answered with a tiny blush, "that she was going to watch over Snape and Duo."

Harry chuckled as he made the first move. He said, "That should be interesting. Maybe my summer doesn't look too bad after all."

"I thought you liked Forest," Hermione accused.

Ginny chuckled, "Forest in limited doses is just fine, but chances are that Sirius is going to be around as well."

"Poor Snape, Black, Maxwell and that vampire in the same house. I hope he retains his sanity," Draco stated as he moved his knight.

The End!

Thank you everyone who read this story from beginning to end.

Special shouts go out to Nate Grey, Saiyajin no Oujo, Luinthorion, and my artiest, Keily.

To Saiya, nope, that vampire wizard wasn't one leather wearing hottie named Angelus. I was thinking about one of the Laurell K. Hamilton vampires when writing about him. Besides, Angelus never used magic.

I left this open for a reason, but I'll be taking a break from fanfiction for a while to finish a novel that I've been working on for over a year. I've been trying to finish it for a while but I thought that I needed to get this finished first. Fanfictions are fun, but a long one like this is time consuming. This is the longest fanfiction that I've ever written, even longer than "A Shade Darker", my vampire epic.

When I come back from my break I might write a sequel where Duo, Harry, Sirius, and Snape go to the Gundam world and meet the other pilots with disastrous results. I have a whole series planned through the rest of the years, but writing them is something else entirely. I just need a break from it for a while to work on my novel and hopefully get it published.

Still, thank you for reading this beginning to end. It's been one hell of a ride. Don't forget to review!

Thanks,

Elf.